For far too long in America, getting served alcohol by clergymen meant, at best, some sacramental wine or overly-sweet Manischewitz; at worst, well, we won't get into that. Thankfully, this has all changed for the better thanks to the St. Joseph's Abbey's need to earn a little extra scratch. And, thanks to CNNMoney, we finally have a look at their brewing life up in Spencer, Massachusetts.

In Europe there's nothing weird about men of the cloth producing beer. This is especially true in Belgium where six noted Trappist breweries have, for centuries, brewed some of the world's finest ales in order to fund their existences. In fact, you've probably even tried some of these beers like Chimay, Orval, Westmalle, and others.

Although the St. Joseph's Abbey has been open since 1950, they created Spencer Brewery in order to up their bottom line. The jams and preserves they had been selling for decades simply weren't earning them enough money any more, probably because, you know, jelly can't get people drunk. In opening its doors in late-2013, Spencer instantly becoming America's first "International Trappist Association"-certified brewery, complete with a special logo they get to put on all their beers.

Yes, even monks have commerce rules and to be Trappist-certified a brewery must:

• produce all its products within the walls or on the grounds of the monastery.

• the monastery must benefit from the beers' production and brew it in accordance with the business practices "proper to a monastic way of life."

• the profits must be primarily used to provide for the needs of the community or for social services.

Phew. That's a little stricter that your brewpub down the street.

The Spencer Brewery's one and only beer--a 6.5% Belgian-inspired pale ale--is currently only available in Massachusetts in four-packs and on tap on a somewhat limited basis. I've been lucky enough to try the beer in both formats and I can report that God is clearly on these brewing monks' side--it's delicious and you should fork over some money for it. The beer is light but full-bodied, fruity yet dry, fluffy and effervescent. I would go to synagogue a lot more if my rabbis could have sold me something just as tasty after Saturday services.

Since the public is not allowed to visit the brewery at the present, CNNMoney's video is a rare insight into their brewing-in-robes goings-on and well worth a watch.